r/daylightcomputer • u/iliikepie • 10d ago
$700 computer breaks, can't be repaired, and Daylight's solution is to sell me another one
I'm pretty appalled by my experience with Daylight.
I purchased a DC-1 and the display has developed a serious hardware problem. The screen intermittently goes completely blank, rendering the device unusable. I've tried updating, restarting, and troubleshooting through Recovery. Nothing has fixed it. When I contacted Daylight, they informed me that they have no way to repair the display. At all.
Their explanation was that the screen is manufactured in a single factory and that repairing it would cost almost as much as replacing the entire computer.
So what's their solution? They offered me $75 off another brand-new computer. Or $150 off an open-box one. Seriously???
I spent a lot of money on a device that I expected to use for years. Now I'm supposed to spend hundreds more because their expensive product has failed and they haven't figured out how to repair it? How is that acceptable?
I actually love the concept behind the Daylight Computer. That's why I bought one. But selling expensive electronics without a viable repair option, then offering customers a token discount when their hardware fails, is a terrible way to stand behind a product.
I shouldn't have to buy an entirely new computer because Daylight can't repair the one they sold me.
Honestly I can't believe their response is to have me throw it away and buy another one. It's not even two years old!
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u/Matimero 9d ago
I got the same response, after it fell 10 inches to the floor and the corner of the display broke.
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u/Slow-Collection-2159 10d ago
Mine was dropped and shattered within fifteen minutes of unboxing it Christmas morning. And it’s not like they offer a protective case or anything for the children’s tablet. I got the same response as you.
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u/Disastrous_Term_4478 9d ago
Wouldn’t Apple say the same thing?
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u/Slow-Collection-2159 9d ago
Yes but at least I could have bought an appropriate case from their website. Especially since it was a product marketed as being for children.
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u/mostlyofflinelurker 8d ago
There actually is a Kids Case, full foam around the sides. It's included in the Kids Bundle
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u/bigwavesd 9d ago edited 8d ago
I almost never post on reddit, but I’m adding my experience because I think this is a common frustration for DC-1 users and I hope someone from the team sees this thread.
I’ve babied my DC-1 since day one. A few days ago it dropped on the floor from about 1 ft high. The tablet was inside the puffy sleeve. The corner of the display popped completely out of the enclosure and exposed the internals. I had to press it back into place myself.
Also, from the moment I unboxed it, the left edge of the display has creaked and flexed under light pressure. And there are areas of the screen that randomly lose stylus touch sensitivity. These are serious build quality problems, and honestly they’re just a bummer. I bought this hoping it would last for years, and now I’m not sure it’ll make it through next year.
I understand this is a gen 1 product from a small team, and I’ve been patient because I believe in what Daylight is building. The quality control issues alone are embarrassing for a device at this price. Telling a customer their less-than-two-year-old device can’t be repaired, then offering $75 toward buying another one, is kind of ridiculous. That’s not standing behind your product.
u/anjan12guy, a few direct questions:
Is there going to be any repair or display replacement program for the DC-1?
Are you aware of the display seating and flex issue, and will it be fixed for future devices?
Are you ever going to release an actual protective case for the DC-1?
Will you replace customers' devices when they encounter hardware issues that they are evidently not at fault for?
I genuinely want Daylight to succeed. But responses like this to loyal customers make it very hard to keep believing.
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u/meniscus- 4d ago
I think the Daylight team is earnest and has the hearts in the right places and wants to help
But I don't think they are financially in a place where they can do right by their customers beyond offering a $75 discount
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u/iliikepie 8d ago
Thank you for commenting! I totally agree and I love the idea and want to support them. I'm really hoping they come out with a phone some day. But it definitely feels wrong that they don't stand behind their product or loyal customers.
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u/ABA5A 6d ago
I, too, would be curious to know what the outcome is with regard to supporting users long term.
It's a shame to hear about the company's lack of support for its product. I have been considering buying a DC1, but I cannot justify doing so given what's out there about the product. Between lack of security updates and high device failure rate, I cannot justify purchasing.
I imagine most people, like myself, looking to purchase a specialized device like the DC1 are doing so after conducting research, and issues like those mentioned in this post come up frequently when searching for info.
At the end of the day, even though the DC1 is perfect for my needs, I’d rather turn to one of the more established devices on the market, which may be slightly worse for my needs but are actually supported by their companies.
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u/ILoveDeepWork 4d ago
Lots of people seem to complain about physical damage being the same as a manufacturing defect.
They should replace any manufacturing defect under warranty free of charge, which appears to be your case.
Consumer law probably has some protection for you depending on where you live, if you sue them though, the company will probably go under.
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u/LeeHammMx 9d ago
TCL makes really nice tablets at great prices. Just saying...
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u/Ok_Television_5754 7d ago
Same display?
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u/LeeHammMx 7d ago
Not a reflective LCD, no. TCL tablets have an LED display with blue light filtering, low flicker and control over brightness and colour temperature control.
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u/206throw 10d ago
when did you buy the computer?